Predicting global killer whale population collapse from PCB pollution

Authored by Christian Sonne, Jean-Pierre Desforges, Ailsa Hall, Bernie McConnell, Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid, Jonathan L Barber, Andrew Brownlow, Guise Sylvain De, Igor Eulaers, Paul D Jepson, Robert J Letcher, Milton Levin, Peter S Ross, Filipa Samarra, Gisli Vikingson, Rune Dietz

Date Published: 2018

DOI: 10.1126/science.aat1953

Sponsors: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) Academy of Finland National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (PH) The Icelandic Research Fund United Kingdom Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are among the most highly polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated mammals in the world, raising concern about the health consequences of current PCB exposures. Using an individual-based model framework and globally available data on PCB concentrations in killer whale tissues, we show that PCB-mediated effects on reproduction and immune function threaten the long-term viability of >50\% of the world's killer whale populations. PCB-mediated effects over the coming 100 years predicted that killer whale populations near industrialized regions, and those feeding at high trophic levels regardless of location, are at high risk of population collapse. Despite a near-global ban of PCBs more than 30 years ago. the world's killer whales illustrate the troubling persistence of this chemical class.

Tags

risk assessment Impact Immunity Orcinus-orca Ocean Polychlorinated-biphenyls Pollutants Congeners Historical emission inventory Chemical tracers